Hull KR vs Hull FC. Battle of the Hulls. Who will win?
It's the first Hull derby of the year. One of the biggest derbies in the Super League competition, and the game never fails to entertain.
The last time these two sides met in the Super League was at Craven Park, where Hull FC ran out winners by 38-20. But both sides have had a change of players, roles and look like brand new sides this year. Both sides will be full of confidence running into this game, with Hull KR defeating the Warrington Wolves 25-12 and Hull FC embarrassing last year's League Leaders 30-6 in the First Utility Super League Round 8.
Hull KR have a new 6+7 partnership of Burns and Keating this year, but they both look settled together now and have started to play some real good rugby. Burns was definitely a stand-out player in their win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium against the Wolves, and they've performed well together on a number of occasions so far this season, facing Wigan Warriors at the DW stadium is another to point out. Weyman was another stand-out player in Hull KR's win against Warrington, scoring two tries and making some hard metres up the pitch. In fact, altogether this year he has made 595 metres.
This game will be Hull FC's Coach Lee Radford's first derby with his new role, and boy will he be nervous. Hull FC go into this game with a massive confidence boost after last Thursday's game, but they shouldn't get too confident as Hull KR can play good rugby at their best. Hull FC's forward pack look very strong this year, with the signings of hard-working Tuson, running-machine Paleaaesina and tough Carvell, along with captain Ellis, Hooker Houghton and determined Westerman, it's a forward pack that can scare any team.
Battle of the game-
Ben Cockayne vs Jamie Shaul- With no Greg Eden in the Hull KR's 19-man squad team list, I'm presuming Cockayne will be playing there, which will be a great battle between him and Shaul. Cockayne looks best when he has the ball in hand, so playing him at fullback was a great move by coach Sandercock. Cockayne has only played a couple of games at fullback, (Wakefield and Warrington, I think) in which both ended in successful games for the Rovers. Jamie Shaul is full of pace and enthusiasm. He's already grabbed 3 tries for Hull FC so far this season, and he has made 879 metres, the second-most metres made for his club so far this season. This will be the battle to look out for.
It's going to be tough to call. I'm going to say..eh..um...Hull KR by 8! Sorry Hull FC fans...
19-man squads:
Hull FC- Bowden, Carvell, Colbon, Ellis, Hadley, Horne, Houghton, Miller, Paea, Paleaaesina, Rankin, Shaul, Talanoa, Thompson, Tuson, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman
Hull KR- Burns, Carlile, Caro, Cockayne, Costigan, Cox, Gardner, Green, Hall, Hodgson, Horne, Kris Keating, Larroyer, Lovegrove, Netherton, Poore, Salter, Welham, Weyman
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to follow me on twitter @RLLatest or like my Facebook page RLLatest!
It's the first Hull derby of the year. One of the biggest derbies in the Super League competition, and the game never fails to entertain.
The last time these two sides met in the Super League was at Craven Park, where Hull FC ran out winners by 38-20. But both sides have had a change of players, roles and look like brand new sides this year. Both sides will be full of confidence running into this game, with Hull KR defeating the Warrington Wolves 25-12 and Hull FC embarrassing last year's League Leaders 30-6 in the First Utility Super League Round 8.
Hull KR have a new 6+7 partnership of Burns and Keating this year, but they both look settled together now and have started to play some real good rugby. Burns was definitely a stand-out player in their win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium against the Wolves, and they've performed well together on a number of occasions so far this season, facing Wigan Warriors at the DW stadium is another to point out. Weyman was another stand-out player in Hull KR's win against Warrington, scoring two tries and making some hard metres up the pitch. In fact, altogether this year he has made 595 metres.
This game will be Hull FC's Coach Lee Radford's first derby with his new role, and boy will he be nervous. Hull FC go into this game with a massive confidence boost after last Thursday's game, but they shouldn't get too confident as Hull KR can play good rugby at their best. Hull FC's forward pack look very strong this year, with the signings of hard-working Tuson, running-machine Paleaaesina and tough Carvell, along with captain Ellis, Hooker Houghton and determined Westerman, it's a forward pack that can scare any team.
Battle of the game-
Ben Cockayne vs Jamie Shaul- With no Greg Eden in the Hull KR's 19-man squad team list, I'm presuming Cockayne will be playing there, which will be a great battle between him and Shaul. Cockayne looks best when he has the ball in hand, so playing him at fullback was a great move by coach Sandercock. Cockayne has only played a couple of games at fullback, (Wakefield and Warrington, I think) in which both ended in successful games for the Rovers. Jamie Shaul is full of pace and enthusiasm. He's already grabbed 3 tries for Hull FC so far this season, and he has made 879 metres, the second-most metres made for his club so far this season. This will be the battle to look out for.
It's going to be tough to call. I'm going to say..eh..um...Hull KR by 8! Sorry Hull FC fans...
19-man squads:
Hull FC- Bowden, Carvell, Colbon, Ellis, Hadley, Horne, Houghton, Miller, Paea, Paleaaesina, Rankin, Shaul, Talanoa, Thompson, Tuson, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman
Hull KR- Burns, Carlile, Caro, Cockayne, Costigan, Cox, Gardner, Green, Hall, Hodgson, Horne, Kris Keating, Larroyer, Lovegrove, Netherton, Poore, Salter, Welham, Weyman
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to follow me on twitter @RLLatest or like my Facebook page RLLatest!